Apparatus for making inflatable ball covers



Nov, 13, 1928.

J. T. RIDDELL APPARATUS FOR MAKING- INFLATABLE BALL COVERS Filed 11 10,1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I .Z/Zif'emifl; 749771655 5 Ia/171 I'FZTJde/ f3,Q. W,

Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,671

J. T. RIDDELL APPARATUS FOR MAKING INFLATABLE BALL'COVERS Filed April10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 13, 192 s.

' teale71- JOHN T. RIDDETIL, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

nrrnna'rosron MAKIHG- INFLATABLE BALL covnns.

Application filed April 10,

My invention relates to lHIPI'OVlllGIltS in aoaaratus for makininflatable ball covers and has for its object the provision of improvedmeans for making covers for footballs, baslretballs and the likewhereby'such balls of uniform shape may be provided.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangements of partshereinafter clescribed and'claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 a section taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1; 1

F ig. 3 a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the formbeing illustrated as collapsed; and

Fig. 4: a view of a ball cover completed and ready for reversing.

The preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the invention consistsof a collapsible form of an exterior or peripheral shape conforming tothe desired interior of the completed ball. The form illustratedconsists of a central openwork frame 5 having peripheral portions 6constituting portions of the periphery of the form and having suchdesired shape. Retractable end members 7 are slidably mounted in thebody or frame thus provided, said end members carrying guide ribs 8operating in guide grooves 9 in the frame whereby said end members willbe guided in their movements. Threaded shafts 10 are mounted as shown inthe central framework 5 of the form and engage suitable threaded socketsin the end members 7 whereby by a rotation of said shafts in oppositedirections the end members 7 will be simultaneously retracted orprotruded. Theshafts 1O carry bevel gears 11 meshing with. bevel gear 12on a transverse shaft 13. The transverse shaft 13 is also suitablymounted in the central framework of the form and is provided withoppositely threaded portions 1 and 15. Opposite side members 16 areprovided in said form as shown and constitute the periphery of a largeportion of the sides of the foun. These side members 16 are alsoprovidedwith guide ribs 17 engaging guide grooves 18 in the frame the form forguiding the movements of said side members. Each of the side mem- 1926.Serial No. 101,217.

bers 16 is provided with threaded engagement as shown with the threaded.portions of the shaft 13 and. shaft 13 v is provided with a squared.end- 19 by means of which the same may be rotated as desired. Thesquared end 19 l is provided with a transverse opening 20 for thereception of a rod or wire for suspending or mounting the form and alsofor operatingthe shafts if desired. I g

I have illustrated apparatus adapted for the manufacture of an ordinaryfootball cover. In carrying on such manufacture the football cover isprovided as usualin the form of four similar leather parts 21 which whenproperly assembled will constitute the cover of an ordinary oval-shapedfootball. These cover parts are suitably dampened and are then stretchedan'd sewed together over said form, French seams 22 being employed forsuch purpose as indicated. On the side of the form where the shaft end19 protrudes, the seam is not completed, two end portions 23 beingformed leaving the usual gap or opening 24: for. the insertion" of theusual rubber inflating ball, lacing openings 25 being provided onopposite sides of said open ing for lacing the ball in the usual way.After this sewinghas been completed, if desired,

the French seams may be flattened by pounding'or rolling them againstthe inner form. Then the seam portions 23 are ripped out to permit ofremoval of the cover thus formed from the form and the form is collapsedas much as possible by rotating shaft 13 whereupon said cover may beremoved from the form. Then the seam portions 23 are remade,

preferably using the same stitchholes which were left by ripping out theoriginal seam In this way, it is insured that portions 23. the coverwill be reformed in exact conformty with the shape assumed originallyover the form. If the same stitch holes are not,

o In

variation and modification without depart ing from the spirit of theinvention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but le'sire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

The art or method of forming ball covers as here1n disclosed, is notclaimed'in this application, because it is made the subject matter ofclaims in my copending divisional application Serial No. 157,665, filedDecemher 29, 1926.

Having described my invention, What I claim as IIGW'ZLIlCl desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A form member in the shape of the interior of a ball covercomprisinga central frame having a portion thereof constitutinga portionof the periphery of said form;

guideways in said frame; end members movand side members, substantiallyas described.

3. A collapsible form member in the shape of'the inter or of aninflatable ball cover comprising retractable and protrudable endmembers; retractable and protrudable opposite ide members; a pluralityof threaded shafts operatively engaging said retractable and protrudableend members and side members; gearing connecting said shafts for simultaneous operation thereof for simultaneously retracting and protrudingsaid end members and side members; and means for rotating one of saidshafts, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signedmyname to this specification.

JOHN T; RIDDELL.

